DONG Energy agrees partnership to support RNLI

DONG Energy has signed a partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to make a major contribution to the lifeboat running costs of six RNLI stations across the UK.

DONG Energy is one of the leading energy companies in Northern Europe and a global leader in offshore wind. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. For an initial period of two years, DONG Energy will support the following six RNLI stations to help them continue saving lives:

Barrow

Clacton-on-Sea

Humber

New Brighton

Ramsgate

Wells

DONG Energy has offshore wind farms in operation or development in each of these six locations, and this new partnership will provide further support to local communities in these areas.

Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy's UK Country Chairman, said:

"The RNLI is a fantastic charity that does incredible work, and I am thrilled that we are making a major contribution to the lifeboat running costs of six RNLI stations across the UK.

"The RNLI saves lives at sea every day and as a company operating at sea ourselves, we know all about the extraordinary support that the RNLI provides to coastal communities.

"DONG Energy is fully committed to making a positive contribution to the local areas where we operate and that's why this partnership makes so much sense. We are delighted to support the RNLI in continuing its outstanding lifeboat search and rescue service."

Leesa Harwood, the RNLI's Community Lifesaving and Fundraising Director, said:

"As a charity, the RNLI relies on donations to be able to carry out its lifesaving work around the coast of UK and Republic of Ireland, so we are grateful to DONG Energy for its generosity in making a significant contribution to the lifeboat running costs of these six lifeboat stations.

"In doing so, the company will be directly helping our volunteer crews to save lives at sea. The RNLI rescues an average of 24 people every day and last year alone saved 368 lives. DONG Energy's donation will be felt most by our volunteer lifeboat crews and those they rescue."

DONG Energy and the RNLI have agreed to work together for an initial period of two years, during which time DONG Energy will make a financial donation of £120,000 to help fund the work of the RNLI.

DONG Energy currently has eight operational offshore wind farms in the UK, with a further four in construction or development. These offshore wind farms are all located in areas corresponding to the six RNLI stations that are being supported in this new partnership.

Notes to editors:

1. Boat running costs mainly cover the fuel used on lifeboat launches and rescues, as well as minor items replaced during routine maintenance.

About DONG Energy: DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. Our business is based on procuring, producing, distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. Headquartered in Denmark, DONG Energy has around 6,500 employees, including 600 in the UK. The Group generated DKK 67 billion (EUR 9.0 billion) in revenue in 2014. For further information, see www.dongenergy.co.uk

About the RNLI:

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 180 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 141,000 lives.